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Yearly Archives: 2015

Creative types are often the hardest people to shop for. Already known for their discerning taste, trying to impress the design lover in your life can be quite the challenge. To put your mind at ease, we took the guesswork out of the equation by asking Design Institute of San Diego’s interior design students what they’d like to have wrapped up for them this holiday season. We’ve comprised a list of unique gifts for creative individuals, and for anyone else that appreciates great design. – Read More –

Imagine your home as a place for regeneration, a sanctuary for healing the wounds of the outside world. It is clean, not cluttered and unmanageable. It prevents disease and injury and restores you when the inevitable occurs. It regenerates you on a daily basis, supporting good sleep, encouraging exercise, making it fun to do healthy cooking. – Read More –

It’s often said that life imitates art. This is probably most literal for the avid art collector, someone who enjoys displaying valuable art pieces in their living space. Designing the home of an art collector is no different than designing for any residence in that to be successful, striking a balance between creativity and functionality is key. In any well-designed space, the placement of art pieces within a home is deliberate. For instance, when it comes to valuable paintings, placing them away from vents, fireplaces, wet walls and radiators is something to consider in order to preserve the work. Lighting is also important when displaying paintings in a home – allowing direct sunlight is something you’d want to avoid to prevent fading and drying out.

Of course, there are many other factors to consider for an art collector’s home, making it a great idea to consult a professional interior designer to ensure that your artistic pieces will be displayed optimally. Design Institute of San Diego explores several stand-out examples of homes that find the perfect balance of showcasing priceless works of art and creating livable spaces for their unique owners. – Read More –

Dining out is a centuries-old social ritual that has evolved with the times, but has yet to lose its appeal. The experience of treating yourself to a meal prepared expertly by someone else, amongst the company of your family or friends, in a space designed purely for your comfort and enjoyment is hard to match. Whether you’re seeking a dimly-lit establishment or a night out with friends in a loud bar, there is a restaurant out there that offers the dining experience you’re craving.

Designing a successful restaurant concept is similar to building a well-oiled machine. It’s a space with reciprocal parts that should be constructed purposefully in order to run like clockwork. The kitchen (known as the Back of House) and the retail space/dining area (known as the Front of House), are influenced by each other and must work closely together to support a successful operation. Moreover, the décor of the space should entertain the diners and provide a memorable experience that entices them to return. Design Institute of San Diego explores several local eateries that have made a name for themselves thanks to their delicious cuisine and impeccable interior designs, several of which have been nominated for Orchid Awards in the San Diego Architectural Foundation’s 2015 Orchids & Onions. – Read More –

Lazy days at the beach, cannonballs and daydreams by the pool, surfing until sundown and another epic road trip to memorialize the dog days of summer … there are countless reasons why so many of us live for the summer season. It’s the time of the year we collectively let out a gigantic sigh of relief and allow ourselves to unwind mentally and physically. Even with the grueling sun beating down upon us, everything we do takes on a more mellow rhythm – it’s a rhythm of ease and relaxation that spring was preparing us for.

As the summer fun winds down and we transition into fall, many are preparing for the first day of school and their easy states of mind are suddenly making room for to-do lists. However, before you put away your summer gear, Design Institute of San Diego has put together a list of local retreats – true gems of nature – that anyone can make a trip to for at least one last summertime adventure. These locations offer majestic, calming views that are certain to make transitioning into fall a painless experience.

Technology advances at such a rapid rate in this day and age that it seems like as soon as one gets acquainted with the latest software or app, a new version replaces it, prolonging the learning process. This rapid evolution, however, allows interior designers and architects to dazzle their clients with project renderings enhanced by the ever grander tools and tricks that come with the latest 3D software upgrade. With each iteration, designers are able to create renderings that are much more realistic, thus making it easier for clients to envision the end result. Design Institute of San Diego explores a few of the more widely used computer software programs for interior designers and architects and, more specifically, the latest features not found in older versions.

Being one with nature is a notion human beings have embraced for ages. Having a respectful relationship with it has been a necessity for our survival and our evolution. So it’s not surprising that in a time when society is becoming more globally aware of the benefits sustainability and “going green,” we are noticing a growing trend in blurring the line between indoor and outdoor living. Floor to ceiling glass windows and sliding doors that welcome an abundance of natural light, indoor courtyards, and rooms that open right onto backyard decks are popular ways of inviting the calming effects and simple beauty of the outdoors into one’s living space. These examples show indoor/outdoor living spaces that truly bring the outside in, illustrating that interior design goes beyond just four walls. – Read More –

When does a sea vessel cross the line from being just an ordinary boat to an extravagant yacht? While both give us the unique experience of enjoying life on the high seas , yachts, known to be the epitome of excess and luxury, allow affluent people to marry their love for the sea with their penchant for lavish living. With the most costly yachts in the world surpassing the $300 million mark in building costs, these vessels may be the most expensive option in both luxury goods and vacation retreats. When budget isn’t an issue, yacht interior designers, builders and owners pull out all the stops to create over-the-top sea dwellings.

Even when cost is not the most significant factor in yacht design, it remains a major one due to the extra challenges that surface when adapting current design trends from the mainland to the special conditions of being out at sea. Being mindful of the unique surroundings allow yacht designers to create innovative design solutions without sacrificing personal design aesthetics. The Design Institute of San Diego explores some of these most outrageous yachts, and “superyachts,” sailing through the ocean blue at the moment. Allow this post to pull you inside the realm of yacht interior design and leave you sailing into the horizon.

When we deem interior design as “iconic,” what are we really saying about it? We often throw the word around when it comes to describing something that is a representation of an element already in existence, but what are the characteristics of iconic spaces that leave such a lasting impression on society and culture? In the ever-evolving world of interior design, where styles and trends are constantly morphing, or becoming obsolete and then resurfacing again decades later, how does a designer create something that remains relevant and stands the test of time? – Read More –

As we find ourselves at the start of a new year, amidst a cloud of well-intentioned New Year’s Resolutions and new gym memberships, we find ourselves searching for that certain defining goal that will pave the rest of the year for us. In the interior design world, these “goals” are often triggered by expert trend forecasts. Designers consult color trend forecasts by Pantone to see what the Color of the Year will be for integration into current and upcoming projects. They attend trade shows to see what prints are making their way up to the top of the textile piles. Sometimes, interior design trends aren’t tangible elements, but are behavioral patterns that emerge and reshape the status quo. – Read More –